Abstract

To the editor: Pneumonia due to Pneumocystis carinii may occur as an opportunistic infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has been used effectively for treatment or prophylaxis of pneumocystis infections. Gordin and colleagues (1), however, have reported that the frequency of adverse reactions to these drugs is greater in patients with AIDS than in other patient populations. The adverse reactions include skin rash, fever, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and aminotransferase elevations. The reason for the higher rate of adverse reactions is not known, but a history of an adverse reaction to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may preclude its use for prophylaxis